Top 10 Most Iconic Watches To Appear In Movies

The 10 Most Iconic Watches You’ve Seen In Movies

If there’s one accessory that’s pretty much indispensable for guys, it’s the wrist watch. Humble or flashy, a simple clean look or a sophisticated multi-dial one, a watch says a lot about the wearer and the kind of person he is. They can also be a giveaway prop, small and discreet as they are, for a movie character. Is he a rich, cunning villain? A down-to-earth modest good guy? The kind of person who doesn’t think about outward appearance? Someone who values sturdiness and reliability over daintiness and bells and whistles?

The Lancet from 'Pulp Fiction'

In one of the movie’s most bizarre and uncomfortable scenes, Christopher Walken presents a young Butch with his father’s pocket watch: his birthright, handed down father to son for four generations since World War One. According to the story, Private Doughboy Erine Coolidge bought it at a little general store in Knoxville Tennessee on the day he set sail for Paris (which sounds a little suspect when you think about it. How do you sail for Paris from Knoxville?). The fact that it still works is all the more remarkable, given where it spent the past seven years.

The Casio CA53W Twincept Databank from 'Back to the Future'

Universal Pictures

Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly rocks the Casio wristwatch/calculator in one of the signature movies of the 1980s. With its eight-digit calculator, stopwatch and water resistance up to 165 feet, this baby was considered a future-is-now product, which makes it super cute today.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date from 'Glengarry Glen Ross'

In this classic film about looking at the desperation fuelling cut-throat toxic capitalism and the broken men swept up in it, Alec Baldwin delivers one of the most vicious, cruel and jaw-droppingly amazing speeches in movie history. His gold-plated Rolex, which he boasts costs more than Ed Harris’s car (and which is probably true), is as much a status symbol as a cudgel he uses to beat/motivate the hapless salesmen with. It’s effective at both.

The Rolex Submariner Reference 6538 from 'Dr. No'

Beginning the long associate of watch-mania in the James Bond franchise, the 6538 was, rumor has it, given to Sean Connery to wear from producer Cubby Broccoli’s own wrist. And although Rolex wasn’t involved in the film in any way, its recurring appearance over several of the early films helped pave the way for the lucrative product-placement sub-industry in later decades. The watch is so iconic, and so rare, that mint condition ones can go for hundreds of thousands. Which brings us to…

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 42MM from 'Skyfall'

Daniel Craig-era Bond may have reached its apogee in 2012’s Skyfall. And the combination of tough, rugged Craig with the sturdy, handsome Omega made perfect sense. The watch itself matches the gruelling yet at times meditative nature of the film, while suggesting a longevity and reliable presence throughout Bond’s past.

Tag Heuer Monaco from Le Mans

Cinema Center Films

For a good decade-and-a-half, from the early 1960s to the mid-1970s, no one in the world was cooler than Steve McQueen. So his role in the racing movie Le Mans came out in 1971, its human star was already massively popular, but the iconic, square-shaped water-resistant watch from Tag Heuer was just making its debut. It rode McQueen’s wrist to stardom.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava* from 'Drive'

FilmDistrict

Few movies are as highly stylized as this heist flick from 2011 starring Ryan Gosling and a gold scorpion bomber jacket. But also featured prominently was the dashing Canadian’s watch. Though it doesn’t actually exist, watch geeks have pointed out that it’s actually based on the Patek Philippe Calatrava.

TAG Heuer Grand Carrera Chronometer from 'The Lincoln Lawyer'

Lionsgate

Matthew McConaughey plays the titular lawyer, and his timepiece plays a serious supporting role, with a classic brown alligator strap and silver dial capturing the eye. The watch complements McConaughey’s desperate legal maneuverings and gives off the slick professional vibe.

The Hamilton Khaki Pilot Day-Date from 'Interstellar'

Naturally, you’d have to have a cool watch to feature in this mind-bending meditation on space, time, life, death, love and family. And Matthew McConaughey, who hasn’t met a watch he hasn’t made look good, doesn’t need much help to show off the Hamilton here.

The Seiko Giugiaro 7A28-7000 from 'Aliens'

Twentieth Century Fox

The watch sported by Ripley from James Cameron’s 1986 follow-up sci-fi action flick became so popular that Seiko re-issued it in 2015. Instantly recognizable by its oversized panels on its right side hosting top-and-bottom chronograph buttons, the piece got its look from Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaroto. The watch’s futuristic yet sturdy appearance seems right at home in a universe populated by tough-ass space marines, sleazy corporate hacks and giant, acid-blooded, man-killing beasts that pop right out of your chest cavity.